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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #7 -- February 2001 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ mailing list/board: http://www.ecauldron.com/fregmb.php newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ With a little help from The Witches' Thicket website: http://www.cros.net/soraya/ message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start In this Issue: [01] Editorial: Moving Beyond Pagan 101 [02] Poem: Simple and Free [03] Cauldron List Changes: Egroups becomes Yahoo Groups [04] Review: Discovering Kwan Yin [05] Review: Healing Mudras [06] Review: Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs [07] Review: Romancing the Tarot [08] Magick: Good Luck Spell [09] Magick: Spell for Getting a Raise [10] Basic Meditation Techniques (Part 1) [11] Humor: How to Become A Witch in Nine Easy Lessons [12] Software: AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System [13] New Articles on The Cauldron's Site [14] New Web Poll [15] Support The Cauldron When You Buy at Amazon.com [16] Cauldron and Thicket Chats [17] Newsletter and Forum Info (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: February 15, 2001 +++ [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL: MOVING BEYOND PAGAN 101 ========= by Faerie K. ========= In my experience beginner books do go through a number of subjects, but (necessarily, one could say, given the format) only deal with each subject briefly. There's one bit of information on one subject, another bit of info on another subject, little bits on this and that. Nothing is dealt with deeply or explained thoroughly. So, one of the steps for moving beyond 101 books is, and in my humble opinion should be, to take on reading books specializing in given subjects. That is, instead of reading about herbs from a 101 book, take to reading herbology books. Instead of reading about meditation techniques from a chapter in a 101 book, pick up books on meditation. Instead of reading just the few rows of info usually given about different deities, read books concentrating on a given mythology or deity, including non-Pagan (not written by Pagans, for Pagans) literature. You get the picture! Don't be afraid to pick up books that may challenge your own views. Give your mind some brain-fodder and let it work. You may very well end up with exactly the same thoughts as you began with, but at least you've put them through a thinking process. Oh yes, and read critically, even views agreeing with you fully. Widen your horizons. The books you read don't have to be about *your* religion, nor on religion at all. For example, critical source evaluation is a good skill to learn, especially because on religious matters you don't have stone-set truths or facts... Get to learn about other religions as well. They may not do anything for *you*, but at least you won't be ignorant about their teachings. :) Then, besides reading, actually *doing* something is important. Develop your own ways of working magick, of doing rituals, of connecting to the deities and practicing your religion as part of your life. I mention this, as lately I've been running into more and more new Pagans, usually Wiccans, who take time to specifically state that they don't do magick or formal rituals at all. A few have stated it right out, but with many others I have read it in between the lines - they are a little afraid of starting to do things on their own, afraid of not being able to do things right and getting bad results in their ritual. It's called religious "practice", not "perfect", isn't it? :o) If ritual is what you are intending and eventually wanting to do, put down the books and start practicing. The know-how doesn't drop down one day from the skies, ready to be used and used perfectly. You will need practice. Learning basic forms and basic spells is a good way to start, but one shouldn't be stuck with just copying. Even in formal ritual structures, there's room for one's own style. Experimenting with different styles and methods, developing your own style, gets your own practice further and gives it more personal (how should I say it...) power. Don't be too afraid to, for example, switch directions and elements, if those given in books don't speak to you. You won't be the first one daring to do that. Others have done it before and done it well. The authors can't see where you are, or give usable examples for every location, situation and what have you possible. Again, use your mind. Don't be too greedy or try to get "there" too quickly. (Is there a "there" in Pagan paths?) Let yourself and your mind rest. Don't do *anything* for a while, if you don't feel like it. That's not something to feel guilty about. There's no use in burning yourself out -- what good would that do to your deities? Allow the knowledge you have gathered to mature in your head. It will mature, with your accumulating experience and knowledge. Things click into their places. Something you were absolutely, positively certain about at one point, may later be seen in whole new light and differently. Maybe a part of a larger whole you previously weren't even aware of. I know I have been made to take a step back from my previous ways of thinking many times over, giving them a good shake and rethinking. Learn to appreciate the experience, not be crushed by it. Things tend to seem much easier in the beginning. More simple, more clear-cut. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it depends on your way of thinking, life doesn't tend to be that simple. Simple rules aren't bad as such, but in real life situations, they often need adapting. So, adapt. Use your mind; it's there for a reason. Don't let basic or simple rules become your crutch, or something that disables you from functioning in a complex world. Watch, learn and listen, to others and yourself. Make your religion an important part of your life, but don't forget to *have* a life. You have probably met people of other faiths, people who have filled their life with their religion so much that you couldn't be around them. Don't become one of those people. It can happen and you will be as annoying to other people as those you had met were annoying to you :) The same goes with fundie type thinking. It can creep up on you, if you don't keep it in check. One True Wayism is often so much easier than all the other options! Basically -- live and learn! The Pagan path isn't an easy one, and anyone who says it is, is incorrect. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CAULDRON AND CANDLE WEB SITE The Cauldron and Candle now has its own web site where we store our back issues for easy reading. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= SIMPLE AND FREE ========= A Poem by Elspeth Sapphire ========= There is a stardust feeling in my mind. I feel no hurry to live. The universe's pace is truly mine; There's the whole world to give. Let others chase the petty cares That make them broken men I shall sit beneath a willow tree And allow my soul to mend. There are colors in the sunny sky That so many men never see I used to be blind like them But now no cage holds me. I am free...free as the clouds Shades that chase across the sky I'll remain simple and free Until the happy day I die. [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON LIST CHANGES: EGROUPS BECOMES YAHOO GROUPS ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= As most readers probably know Yahoo bought out Egroups at the end of last summer and planned to integrate it fully into Yahoo in early 2001. Yahoo did so at the end of January. The new version of the service is known as Yahoo Groups If you only access The Cauldron's mailing list through email, you do not have to do anything. Although messages now come from a yahoogroups.com address and the official address to send messages to is ecauldron@yahoogroups.com, the old ecauldron@egroups.com address will continue working, supposedly forever. If you read messages from the message board-like archive or if you want to use the calendar, file area, link area, etc that egroups provided for us, you have to link the email address you signed up for the list with with a free Yahoo account. The procedure is fairly simple (especially if you already have a Yahoo account). You can link up to five email to a single Yahoo account to use with Yahoo Groups mailing list and can easily switch lists between those email accounts from the subscribe form in the web area for each list. Here are the directions from Yahoo on this procedure. All you have to do to access your groups on the web site is to link your current eGroups account(s) to a Yahoo! ID using our wizard. (If you don't use the web site, you won't need to link your accounts.) The process is simple: 1. Go to the wizard: http://groups.yahoo.com/convwiz 2. Tell us the eGroups account you'd like to link to a Yahoo! ID. (Your account is the email address you've used to sign in to the eGroups service.) 3. Tell us the Yahoo! ID you'd like to link your account to. If you don't have a Yahoo! ID, you can register for one at that time. 4. If you have multiple eGroups accounts, you need to go through the wizard more than once. You can link up to 5 accounts per Yahoo! ID. IMPORTANT NOTES: * Please remember that your groups have not moved. They are still here! All you are doing is establishing a Yahoo! ID log-in to access them via the web site. * Old URLs and email addresses will continue to work. [The above was copied directly from Yahoo's letter to list moderators on this subject.] When you reach The Cauldron's mailing list web pages on Yahoo, you will find that while they have a Yahooized look, they are otherwise much the same as they were. The major changes are: * A listing of recent messages on the main page. * The elimination of the egroups profile. The profile associated with your Yahoo account is used instead. * The member list now has a little "online" symbol. Members with Yahoo! Messenger installed and on will have this little symbol next to their name and, if you also have Yahoo! Messenger, you can communicate with them in real time easily. If you use Yahoo! Messenger and don't want a little "I'm online, bug me" symbol appearing next to your name on every Yahoo Groups list you are online, you can turn this off in your Yahoo Profile. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SEND A PAGAN POSTCARD You can send a Pagan Postcard from the menu of any of our web pages at http://www.ecauldron.com/. If you haven't tried our postcard site, give it a try. It has quite a few nice features. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [04] ========= ========= REVIEW: DISCOVERING KWAN YIN ========= Reviewed by Diane DancingFirefly ========= Discovering Kwan Yin, Buddhist Goddess of Compassion Author: Sandy Boucher Trade Paperback, 144 pages Publisher: Beacon Press Publication date: June 2000 ISBN: 0807013412 US Retail Price: $12.00 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0807013412/thecauldron For anyone who wishes to learn more about Kwan Yin, either as a bodhisattva or a Goddess, either from a historical perspective or a philosophical one, this book makes an excellent starting point. It gives a synopsis of the history in Asia by which the male bodhisattva Avalokitesvara became the first androgynous and then female Kwan Yin, absorbing or reimaging some of the indigenous Goddesses of the region. Further, several myths of human women either becoming Kwan Yin or becoming revealed as Kwan Yin are explored. Moving on from the historical to the philosophical, several perspectives are included, from more traditional Asian to Western women. Difficult issues, such as the practice of praying to Kwan Yin for a son while abandoning any daughters at orphanages, are raised and considered, leaving the reader to draw final conclusions. And in the last chapter, Boucher presents several practices, again ranging from the traditional to the newly created. There is also a thorough, though surely non-exhaustive, section on books and articles for further reading. It is clear that this book was written and designed to be used as an introductory textbook. It is primarily used as a text for Unitarian Universalist Women's Spirituality workshops. (Beacon Press is under the auspices of the Unitarian Universalist Association.) Male readers can certainly learn as much from the book as can women. However, it would be well to keep in mind that it is a Women's Spirituality text, and so gives little attention to the relationship men may find with Kwan Yin, focusing almost exclusively on women. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkdky.php [05] ========= ========= REVIEW: HEALING MUDRAS ========= Reviewed by Diane DancingFirefly ========= Healing Mudras: Yoga for Your Hands Author: Sabrina Mesko Trade Paperback, 137 Publisher: Ballantine Wellspring Publication date: February 2000 ISBN: 0345437586 US Retail Price: $18.00 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345437586/thecauldron I anticipated working with this book for quite some time. While I still think there are things to look forward to in working with it, I must admit that I am largely disappointed with it. Mudras are hand asanas or postures that have specific meanings and uses. The idea is that there is significance to how these positions affect the nadis or energy channels in the physical and energetic body. The author refers to the difficulty she had in finding information on the art of mudra, and sadly has chosen to boil it down to single-page instructions with no suggestions for further research. Even more of a concern to me, however, is that the book specifically states that no prior experience with yoga is necessary. While for about 95% of what she presents, I agree, though certainly the deeper one's understanding of yoga the more one is likely to get out of the practice of mudras, there is one specific practice that concerns me. That is called the "breath of fire." As a lay person with only about a year and a half of experience as a student of yoga, I am very concerned that anyone would be encouraged to try this breathing practice on their own with about a paragraph of instruction. At best, they simply would not get it. At worst, they might get just enough of it to end up hyperventilating. I really do not think it is wise to attempt this practice without first having some in-person instruction, and believe it is quite irresponsible to present it as something one can easily attempt with the minimal instruction given. With this concern in mind, I do still think the book has value as an introduction to the art of mudra. However, for more in-depth research, the reader is left on their own to find either print or live resources. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkhm.php [06] ========= ========= REVIEW: RODALE'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs Editors: Claire Kowalchik & William H. Hylton Paperback, 545 pages Publisher: Rodale Press Publication date: January 1998 ISBN: 087596964X US Retail Price: $17.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/087596964X/thecauldron Rodale Press has created a North American herbal for modern times. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs provides detailed information on the aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, craft, medicinal, and ornamental uses of over 140 different herbs. Herbs are presented in alphabetical order with additional articles such as "Growing Herbs," "History of Herbs," and "Teas from Herbs" in the mix. The book has over 200 illustrations. These are mainly line drawings, although there are over 50 color photos. The medicinal information is up-to-date. While historical folk uses are listed even for herbs now considered quite dangerous, modern knowledge is stressed. The results of modern scientific studies are mentioned where there are any. Unlike many older herbals, with Rodale's you will know what is considered dangerous today and what isn't. If you are interested in growing your own herbs, each herb's article has a section on its cultivation. This information is mainly aimed at the United States and Canada, however. It will be far less useful if you live elsewhere. I really like this book and recommend it highly. However, it is not without its faults. While nicely illustrated, I don't think I'd want to try to identify herbs in the wild from many of its illustrations, for example. Nor does Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herb s cover the magickal uses of herbs. Within these limits, however, it is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to grow and/or use herbs effectively. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkrieh.php [07] ========= ========= ROMANCING THE TAROT ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Romancing the Tarot: How to Use Tarot to Find True Love, Spice Up Your Sex Life, or Let Go of a Bad Relationship Author: Phyllis Vega Trade Paperback, 255 pages Publisher: Fireside Books Publication date:February 2001 ISBN: 0684864053 US Retail Price: $12.00 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684864053/thecauldron Several years ago, Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega wrote Power Tarot, a superb book on the tarot. In 2001, Phyllis brings us Romancing the Tarot, a book with a similar format to Power Tarot, but specialized toward reading the tarot for some of the most important questions in life: love, romance, sex, and relationships. The areas are probably the ones the majority of tarot readings revolve around. Romancing the Tarot starts off with a very brief introduction to the tarot, in four chapters and less than 15 pages. While this probably is a bit skimpy for a complete beginner, all the necessary information is present and written in plain English, though there is not a lot of hand-holding. Of course, this leaves much more room for the meat of the book. The next three chapters -- and some 160 pages -- provide detailed love and romance-oriented interpretations for the major arcana, the court cards, and the pip cards. Each card is given about two pages of suggested interpretations. Each card receives a one word key idea and general interpretation to start things off. Seven specialized interpretations specific to relationships follow: Expectations, Emotional Potential, Sexual Potential, Material Potential, Spiritual Potential, Challenges, and Outcome. Finally, key words and phrases are provided for each card. Just reading through this material gave me new ways to see the cards I have been using for over 20 years. As in Power Tarot, the court cards get the same full treatment and interpretations the other cards get. They are not glossed over with interpretations like "a powerful man" as they often are in other books. Given that relationship readings can be full of court cards, the chapter on them in Romancing the Tarot will be worth the price of the book to many students of the tarot. The eighth chapter contains forty tarot spreads designed to answer specific relationship questions. These range from quick three card spreads like "Is It Love?" to complex twelve card spreads like "Horoscope for Two," "Infidelity," and "Sexual Healing." If it is a relationship question, chances are you will find a specialized spread for it in this chapter. Most of these spreads are original. The only standard spread I noticed was a couples-only version of the Celtic Cross. The only problem with this chapter is that the explanations of various positions in each spread are very sketchy. This might be a bit of a problem for less experienced readers. The final chapter provides four sample readings. These are excellent, if brief, examples of how to put all the material in this book together. Overall, Romancing the Tarot is a very successful book. It is understandable to novice tarot readers while providing food for thought for even advanced students. This book belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in what the tarot has to say about relationships. If you see it in a bookstore, be sure to take a look. I don't think you will be disappointed. Truth in reviewing time, Romancing the Tarot is written by a friend and sometime member of The Cauldron, Phyllis Vega. Like Power Tarot, this book gets high praise because it is an excellent and very useful book, not because the author knows the reviewer. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkrtt.php [08] ========= ========= MAGICK: GOOD LUCK SPELL ========= A Spell to Reverse Bad Luck ========= When: It's best to perform this one while the moon is waxing. Materials: 1 candle to represent yourself in whatever color you think appropriate 1 grey candle 1 black candle 1 orange candle. Procedure: Light the candle that represents yourself and say: This is me, me in all things. Light the black candle and say: This is all the bad luck that has dogged my footsteps. Trouble, disappointments and tears are here. This bad luck now leaves me forever. Light the grey candle and say: All that was bad is neutralized. All my bad luck is dissolved. Light the orange candle and say: This is the energy coming my way, to get my life moving and speed up the change. Sit quietly for a while and visualize the negative energies being whisked into the grey candle and dissolved into empty nothingness. Visualize the orange candle drawing good energy and good luck towards you, see the air stirring about with possibilities and opportunities. If possible and safe, let the candles burn down completely. [09] ========= ========= MAGICK: A SPELL FOR GETTING A RAISE ========= Author Unknown ========= When: First night of the New Moon Materials: 1 pen 1 green candle 1 one dollar bill 1 recent pay-check stub Bayberry, bergamot or pine oil Write your boss' name on the candle and, below it, draw an arrow pointing down. Draw a dollar sign beneath the arrow. Below that, draw another arrow pointing down, then write your name under it. Anoint the candle, while concentrating on your need for a raise. Write the amount of the raise you need below the net amount shown on the check stub and add the two together. Place this under the candle. Light the candle and visualize your boss approving a raise for you. Then chant:: From you to me the money flows Casting out financial woes. The raise I need shall be approved Before the light of the next full moon. Let the candle burn down completely. Wrap the wick and any wax remnants in a dollar bill and carry it with you. Ask for the raise on the Wednesday before the full moon. [10] ========= ========= BASIC MEDITATION TECHNIQUES (PART 1) ========= by Bill Witt ========= Webster defines meditation as "The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the revolving of a subject in the mind." To meditate is to focus mentally on one thought, idea, or concept. It may also mean, to revolve an idea in your mind so as to change the way in which you think of that idea. Meditation is therefore, a tool with which you may manipulate thought in an organized manner. Many people view meditation as a very difficult thing to learn. In reality though, we do it often without even knowing it. When you daydream or find your mind fixed on one thought, that is a form of meditation. Have you ever watched a bird in flight, or stared up at the clouds in the sky, or maybe even found yourself watching a stream of water flow by? If you have and at that moment the rest of the world around you has seemed removed, then you were in a state of meditation. The real key to this practice, is to be able to exercise control over your thoughts and awareness of the world around you. There are many groups of people for whom meditation is an everyday ritual. Others use it at special times as a means of relaxation and "mental house cleaning." It allows the individual a freedom unlike no other freedom. The freedom to look inside oneself and learn just who you are. Some use it as a way of being closer to nature or God. No matter how you wish to use it, you will find it a healthy and very rewarding experience. Most all religions practice meditation in one way or another. Eastern philosophies such as Yoga, and Buddhism are not the only ones to view meditation as a way of looking for the Truth found in one's own consciousness. Even in Christianity meditation finds a place of value. The Bible itself mentions the value of meditation. In writing to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul tells them this. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4.8) So you ask, what can it do for me. Well, beyond just being a good way to really relax, which we can all use in this hectic world, it can be a doorway to the Truth inside yourself. It is a way of gaining wisdom. Knowledge has always been fairly easy to come by. Wisdom on the other hand, is a bit harder to grasp onto. In "The Task" by William Cowper, the following line is found. "Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men: Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own." For me, meditation becomes a way of "grounding" myself, of reaching a place of peace and stability, where I can find how I fit into the universe. In many philosophies, meditation is viewed as a necessary skill. All those who are students of these philosophies must learn the ways of meditation early in their training. Although the techniques may vary from one group to another, the most basic concepts remain the same. The ability to be able to focus on one thought and selectively block out all others is the foundation upon which many more advanced skills will be built. These skills may range from telepathy to the ability to move objects with only the mind. It is well known that Yogi adepts can lower their breathing and heart rates to near death levels. This is something you should not try as it takes years of practice to learn and can be quite dangerous. Still, these yogis are proof of the type of power the mind can exercise over the body through meditation. In some cultures, the use of drugs to achieve a meditative state is encouraged. The American indians for example, used drugs derived from various plants to put themselves into an altered state of consciousness. This was usually done as a religious practice and as an event marking the change from one state of life to another. A good example would be the ceremony marking the coming into manhood of a young boy. Today there are still many, who advocate the use of drugs to achieve these altered states. It is my opinion that such measures are neither necessary nor good. You can reach an altered state of consciousness without the use of drug induced "highs". It takes practice, but it can be done. In New Age philosophy, the art of meditation is highly valued. We also find another well developed skill which is called "creative visualization". This is the idea of visualizing what you want to the point of it becoming reality. A good example would be a salesman visualizing himself as successful and prosperous. The concept is simple, if you can visualize a personal reality, you can change or bring that reality into being. "Positive Thinking" is a very similar idea. The technique of creative visualization goes beyond positive thinking however. It deals with the premise that we all create our own reality and therefore have the power to change many aspects of that reality. The idea of "personal reality" is a lengthy one and we do not have enough room to cover it in this course. So far we have looked briefly at what meditation is and how it is used. By no means have we touched on all the aspects of this practice. There are many books on the subject which cover it in much more detail. My purpose is to give you an overview of the many facets of meditation in the hope that you will wish to learn more. In the next section, I will give you instructions on how to meditate and achieve an altered state of consciousness. Also a list of aids to meditation will be given and their use explained. [This is the first part of a three-part article written by Bill Witt and posted on the New Atlantis BBS in May 1987. This material may be reproduced and distributed only if the by line, and BBS info remain part of any such reproduction.] [11] ========= ========= HUMOR: HOW TO BECOME A WITCH IN NINE EASY LESSONS ========= Author Unknown ========= In the 1980's it was fashionable to be interested in the New Age. This is now a dreadful faux pas within the alternative scene, and in order to be accepted in the 1990's metaphysical social set, one must have an interest in Witchcraft or Paganism. Of course, you don't have to actually belong to a coven in order to be thought of as a Witch, you can bluff your way into being accepted as a fully fledged Witch simply by knowing a few terms and dressing accordingly. This brings us to... Rule #1: Image is Everything. After all, what's the good of being a Witch if nobody knows you are one? You must therefore wear black at all times. If possible, stay out of the sun until you become really pale, as this makes the effect even better. For women (and adventurous males) dark eyeliner and black nail polish can enhance this look. Also wear crystals and cheap occult paraphernalia at all times, and make sure that these are as gaudy and bizarre as possible, as this can only help your image. Wearing a pentacle around your neck is an absolutely necessary accessory - the bigger the better! Capes and cloaks are optional around town - it depends on how much of a visual impact you want to make, but either of these are also crucial apparel at any ritual or gathering that you may attend. Rule #2: Name Dropping is Good. Every serious student of The Craft (and I'm talking here about the term for Witchcraft, not macrame) knows the name Gerald Gardner. This man revitalized Witchcraft in the mid 1900's with his book about the true history of The Old Religion (some have called this book pure fiction, but only those picky few who like books to be based on facts). Real Witches however, never let historical accuracy get in the way of their spiritual path, so in conversations with other witches, quote his name as often as possible (in tones of awe) and you will always be rewarded with smiles of acceptance. Rule #3: Past Life Name Dropping is Even Better. Tell everyone about the past life memories that have been surfacing since you began studying the Black Arts. It is especially useful to remember a past lifetime as a Witch who was killed during the Inquisition, or at least recall a lifetime as a famous occultist. My past lives have included Aleister Crowley, Cagliostro, Mandrake the Magician, and most of the cast of "Bewitched". Rule #4: Behave Strangely. Never forget why it was that you wanted to become a Witch - yes, so that you have an excuse for strange behavior. Previously labelled eccentric behavior patterns can now be accepted by others if they have a reason to explain it, even if that reason for howling at full moons while naked is simply, "He/she is a Witch, that's normal for them evidently." So, don't let your friends down, behave strangely, you can get away with it now. Rule #5: Watch Occult Movies. Make sure that you watch the movie "Warlock" lots of times to perfect those soft landings after over-indulging with the flying ointments (read as mead and weed). Rule #6: Ready Yourself for Sex, Money and Power. Wasn't this the other reason you were drawn to Witchcraft? In the past, adepts of the occult were known to possess charismatic, lusty and powerful personas - when people find out that you are a Witch, they may automatically assume (and therefore empower you) with these same qualities. This may sound pretty good, but unfortunately in today's world, another group of people have become even more established within the realms of kinky sex sessions and unlimited power - yes, the politicians! Beware of this elitist group of power-brokers... they don't want any competition to their manipulative monopoly over the gullible public - hence the laws against Witchcraft and divination that have remained unchanged for centuries. So, if calling yourself a High Priest doesn't lead you to unlimited sex, money and power - or if it does, but you then find yourself as the target of political and legal harassment - you may have to put aside your cloak and broomstick and pick up a pin-stripe suit and a back-bench in Parliament. If you can't beat them, try bribery, then if that doesn't work... join them! Rule #7: Atmosphere is Essential. Your home must reflect your Witchy nature. Incense must burn continuously. It's important that visitors see clouds of incense smoke billowing from a spluttering censor in the corner of your dim, dank and dusty home, so dismantle the smoke detectors and start collecting strange little bottles of exotic looking ingredients (use your imagination and label them with names like powdered bat's eyes, or dried dragon's gonads). And if you don't like housework, you can explain that the layer of dust that covers your floors and furniture helps to neutralize the highly charged psychic energy that results from your magical spells, thereby protecting your home and possessions from electromagnetic disintegration. Rule # 8: Be Patronizing to Christians. In social discussions don't forget to make plenty of derogatory remarks about fundamentalist Christians, but remember to save your most biting comments for other Witches that you don't get along with. Rule #9: Brag About Your Psychic Powers. Any self-respecting Witch will tell you that after their initiation to Witchcraft, their psychic powers awakened and their tarot cards (which they always carry with them) are now much easier to read (they now get something right once in a while). They will also tell you that they can now sense energy fields (in other words, they don't bump into things as often as they used to). Follow this example and brag about the rapid development of your psychic abilities since your initiation. If asked about your initiation ceremony, simply state that you were sworn to secrecy about it, then quickly change the subject by mentioning your newly awakened ability to detect Ley-lines, but try to remember that a Ley-line is not a queue for the after-ritual orgy! Now you know how to pass yourself off as a real Witch, so place that broomstick in a conspicuous corner (one that is not clouded by too much incense smoke); pull on those black clothes; give everyone that you meet a sinister look - and your social status will improve overnight. If you do all of this successfully, you may even find yourself with enough adoring acolytes so that you can start your own coven! Good luck and Blessed Be! [12] ========= ========= FREE SOFTWARE: AVG 6.0 ANTI-VIRUS SYSTEM ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= While only a relatively few computer viruses do a lot of damage to your system, any computer virus is a nuisance both to you and those you inadvertantly pass it on to in email or files. Everyone really needs to have on their system, use, and regularly update an anti-virus program. If you do not have anti-virus software for your Windows computer, Grisoft makes a version of their Anti-Virus System available as freeware in most of the world (except in most of Europe, unfortunately). The AVG 6.0 Free Edition provides resident protection (checks programs as they run), an email scanner, and an on-demand scanner. You get free monthly updates (automatic if you wish) and automatic repair of infected files. The only catch is the Grisoft does not provide technical support for their free edition. You will find this free Windows program at: http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_downl.cfm [13] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= NEW ARTICLES ON THE CAULDRON'S SITE ========= The following new articles have been added to The Cauldron's web site since our last issue. * Responsibility and Paganism http://www.ecauldron.com/opedresponsibility.php The following book reviews (included in this newsletter) are new to the web site: * Discovering Kwan Yin http://www.ecauldron.com/bkdky.php * Healing Mudras http://www.ecauldron.com/bkhm.php [14] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= NEW WEB POLL ========= Our new polls are working nicely and without all the problems we had when they were hosted offsite. You'll find them on their own web page at: http://www.ecauldron.com/pollindex.php Our newest poll, opened February 1, asks: * Where do you get most of your ritual tools? http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll15.php Make your opinion known, take this poll today! [15] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON WHEN YOU BUY BOOKS AT AMAZON.COM ========= If you wish to purchase books or other items at Amazon.com, you can help fund The Cauldron's web site by using this link to access Amazon.com when you make your purchases: http://www.ecauldron.com/fradambooks.php Just use this link to go to Amazon.com via our web site and almost every purchase you make that visit will earn The Cauldron a small amount to help pay for our web page -- at no extra charge to you. You can also use the Amazon link on the menu of every Cauldron web page and not have to remember this long link. Unlike the Amazon link listed in some prior issues of this newsletter, you can simply visit this site and save the link in your bookmark list. If you then use this bookmarked link every time you wish to visit Amazon.com, any purchases you make while there will help fund The Cauldron's web site. [16] ========= ========= Cauldron and Thicket Info ========= CAULDRON AND THICKET CHATS ========= +++ +++ CAULDRON IRC CHATS: TUESDAYS, 10-11PM CT +++ Cauldron Co-Host Randall Sapphire hosts a one hour general chat almost every Tuesday evening from 10pm to 11pm Central (Daylight) Time in our channel (#thecauldron) on the PaganPaths IRC server. We usually have a pretty good turnout. Discussions cover a wide range of topics, depending on what the folks present want to discuss. You'll find all the information you need to connect to our chats either with your own IRC client or via the Java IRC client (including images of the various Java windows which pop up) on our Chats web page at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cmchats.php You can open a Java chat client directly to #thecauldron by clicking on the "IRC Chat" link in the menu of any of our web pages, but we strongly suggest you visit the above page first and read a few paragraphs on how to use it. This page is also available from the "[Info]" link right next to the "IRC Chat" link on our web page menus. If you have your own IRC client program, the address of the main PaganPaths server is: madison.wi.us.paganpaths.org (port 6667) If you'd like to host a chat for members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum on a regular, weekly schedule, please let us know. If "Central Time" doesn't mean anything to you, there's an online time converter at http://sandbox.xerox.com/stewart/tzconvert.cgi might help. I think Central Time is listed as something like "US - Central" in the drop down box. +++ +++ THICKET DELPHI CHATS +++ The Thicket hosts several chats each week in their Delphi (Java-based) chat area. You have to be a member of Delphi and The Thicket to participate. You will find the chats by pointing your browser to The Thicket's Start Page at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start Chats are currently being held on the following days and times (all times are Central Time): * Monday at 11:30pm * Wednesday at 12:00 noon * Friday at 11:30pm If "Central Time" doesn't mean anything to you, there's an online time converter at http://sandbox.xerox.com/stewart/tzconvert.cgi might help. I think Central Time is listed as something like "US - Central" in the drop down box. [17] ========= ========= NEWSLETTER AND FORUM INFO ========= (Including how to subscribe and unsubscribe) ========= Cauldron and Candle is a free publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum with assistance from our sister form, The Witches' Thicket. The Cauldron and The Thicket aim to publish this newsletter twice a month and often actually succeed in doing so. Copyrights on individual items in this newsletter are retained by their author, please contact the editors if you need to contact an author for permission to reprint an article and the editors will do their best to put you in touch with him or her. No one involved in producing this newsletter has any money to speak of so suing us if you don't like something we do is a waste of time and money. ++++ ++++ HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ++++ You are receiving a copy of this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. You can subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter: http://cauldronnews.listbot.com/ ++++ ++++ NEWSLETTER WEB SITE AND BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE ++++ The Cauldron and Candle web site contains information on this newsletter and an archive of back issues. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ++++ ++++ CONTRIBUTE TO CAULDRON AND CANDLE ++++ Cauldron and Candle is always looking for articles, reviews, and announcements of interest to the Neo-Pagan community. Submissions will normally be considered for both the newsletter and our web site. We are particularly interested in book and tarot deck reviews, introductions to the various Neo-Pagan religions, and in practical articles. Paste your contribution into an email and send to rssapphire@ecauldron.com -- plain text is our preferred format. Submitting material is considered to be granting us permission to use the material in this newsletter and on The Cauldron's (or The Thicket's) web site. If you have a web site with original articles that you would like plugged in our newsletter, the best way to get a plug is to offer one of the articles on your web site to our newsletter. If we run your article, we will include information on your web site with the article. We get an article of this newsletter and you get publicity for your web site. If you would like to do this, please query us first with information on your web site and a link to the article you'd like us to consider publishing in Cauldron and Candle. ++++ ++++ PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE ++++ If you have Pagan friends who you believe would be interested in Cauldron and Candle please invite them to subscribe. You can either drop them a note yourself or -- better yet -- send them one of The Cauldron's email postcards with the information. You are also welcome to forward a copies of this newsletter to interested friends and associates provided you forward the entire newsletter. ++++ ++++ LINK TO THE CAULDRON: A PAGAN FORUM ++++ If you like The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum please invite your friends to visit. If you have a web page, we'd really appreciate it if you put a link to The Cauldron's web site on your web pages. If you'd like some graphic buttons to use to link to our web site, check the following URL: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php Thanks in advance. ++++ ++++ SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ++++ Don't forget that your suggestions for the forum are always welcome, either posted on the message board or via email to Elspeth Sapphire (elspeth.sapphire@worldnet.att.net) or Randall Sapphire (rssapphire@ecauldron.com). Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris. Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet again!

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